Picnic by Design 2015 Basket Designs and Winners

Vanessa Deleon Associates Picnic By Design 2015

I love the summer! One of my favorite events to participate in is Picnic by Design. It was an incredibly successful DIFFA event - collecting 40K in the fight against HIV /AIDS. Incredible baskets by uber talented designers to delicious food and drink from top restaurants and brands. The soiree had a nice vibe on a rooftop overlooking the Hudson river. 

photo credits: Erik Bardin

Kristen Ward Guerrero Picnic By Design 2015

Among the buzz, a panel of judges made up of design and hospitality industry taste makers were on hand to select the top three most impressive baskets. The jury includes: Cindy Allen, chairman of DIFFA and editor-in-chief of Interior Design; Louise Vongerichten, head of development at the acclaimed Chef's Club US; Christophe Rammant, president of EGE & Bolon; Stephanie Goto, principal of STEPHANIEGOTO and Barry Richards, principal and studio leader at Rockwell Group. 

And the top baskets were...... ARCHIVES id, Gensler, Nile Johnson and Michele Alfano /MODmade NY. Yes, my basket design tied for first with Gensler. When I heard my name I was in complete shock and glee! Thank you to the judges, I really appreciate the honor. InteriorDesign.net featured my basket design along the other winners!  Below is when Cindy Allen called out my name and congratulated me...I was beyond excited!

Big thanks to Tiago Fonseca, and Keith Karabec of Five Star Millwork who once again brought my idea to life. The picnic basket design transforms into headphones with speakers. Ya gotta vibe a bit at a picnic, right?

 more winners:

ARCHIVES ID

 Gensler

 Nile Johnson 

images from the event:

 Sponsor- STK (grilled octopus)

Sponsor Robert Allen 

Sponsor Poggenpohl

my peeps!

Cetra Ruddy

Hollymount

Bryon C. James-Rodriguez

Carl Lana for Clifton Dry

Cheryl Umbles



 Rixner Wright

Christina May Design

Kristen Ward Guerrero

 Mong: Torodova

Images credit: Erik Bardin.

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DIFFA Picnic by Design Competition 2015

Its Picnic time, well Picnic by Design time on August 5th at Ramscale Studios, 6-9pm. Tickets are still available here. Proceeds from ticket and basket sales will help support DIFFA in its fight against HIV/AIDS. There is an impressive lineup of sponsors, designers and judges for the 4th annual Picnic by Design event. The event will feature design pairing with delicious food,cocktails and wine.  All designers were asked to design a basket that followed a theme of their choice. I knew I wanted to do something that was music inspired. I just got back from New Orelans Jazz fest and the whole experience was nothing less than awesome.  I decided that the basket had to transform in some way so why not transform into a boombox? I worked with Five Star Millwork who once again brought my idea to life Transformable Headphone Basket by MoDmade NY | MoD Design Guru Thank you to the wonderful sponsor Robert Allen for the amazing fabrics!! Jazz Age Curacao Tropic Storm Molten Merry Maze Calypso Blue For a fun twist, a panel of design experts will evaluate each basket and the winner will be featured on InteriorDesign.net. The designers are up for an exciting challenge as a panel of judges, made up of design and hospitality industry tastemakers, will be on-hand to select the top three most impressive baskets. Jury members will judge the baskets according to the following criteria: most stylish, most functional for a picnic, most outside-of–the-box (or basket!) design. The jury includes: Cindy Allen, chairman of DIFFA and editor-in-chief of Interior Design; Louise Vongerichten, head of development at the acclaimed Chef’s Club US; Christophe Rammant, president of EGE & Bolon; Stephanie Goto, principal of STEPHANIEGOTO and Barry Richards, principal and studio leader at Rockwell Group. I cant wait to see all the baskets!! Additionally, DIFFA is hosting a social campaign, #ShowUsYourPicnic, that invites people across the country to join the fun picnic festivities.  Here are some images from last year: Hollymount Ltd. The exciting list of designers for 2015 include:  Byron C. James-Rodrigues for House of Oasis; Kristen Ward Guerrero/Sargenti Architects; ARCHIVES id; Cheryl Umbles Interior Design; Nile Johnson Interior Design; Antoinette Loupe Interiors; Hollymount Ltd.; Christina Caughey/Cristina Mary Designs; Vanessa DeLeon of Vanessa DeLeon Associates; Carl Lana for Cliffton Dry; Elk Collective; CetraRuddy; Rixner Wright Interiors; Gensler; Urtensils; Courtney Sloane Design; and Mong/Tordorora and me, Michele Alfano of MoDmade NY| MoD Design Guru.  Byron C. James-Rodrigues for House of Oasis Michele Alfano of MoD Design Guru Thank you to all the amazing sponsors!! Picnic By Design would not be possible without the generosity of event sponsors, which include: EGE; Poggenpohl; Robert Allen; Quadrille; Kravet; Urtensils; and Hedgehouse, whose wares will be incorporated into the picnic baskets and throughout the event venue.  The event is also sponsored by Interior Design and the New York Design Center. Offering a gourmet taste of NY, the picnic will feature food and spirits from FIKA; STK; Murray’s Cheese; Baked by Melissa; Kind; Cliffton Dry; Harlem Brewing; and Oyster Bay.